Sunday Sermon December 10, 2023

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Devotion December 6, 2023

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Devotion December 5, 2023

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Sunday Reflection (December 3, 2023)

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The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians that we in Christ’s Church have also been made into a people of God (1 Corinthians 1:2-8). We have been called into the light of God’s love revealed to us in Christ Jesus. Paul challenges us to remain steadfast to the end so that we be blameless at his coming, yet who believes that he or she will be blameless to the end? We can hope, but let’s be real: “All our righteousness is as filthy rags and we all have gone astray” as Isaiah said.
 
Paul presents us with a challenge, but with that challenge is a comfort, not a loophole, a comfort: “God is faithful!” God is faithful to us despite our imperfections. God is faithful “to infinity and beyond.” We have been brought into fellowship and friendship with God through Jesus Christ. “Our calling is not just to perform a mission or to obey certain norms; rather, we are called into a relationship of intimate mutuality with one another in Christ” (Richard Hayes). May we respond to God’s faithfulness by our being faithful to God and others: “To infinity and beyond!”

Prayer for the Week (December 3-December 9, 2023)

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Faithful God, tear open the heavens and come to dwell among us, that we might be enlivened by your presence. Reveal your ever-present activity among us so that our hearts be renewed, and our minds inspired to join your mission. Work with us, as the potter works with clay, that we might be molded for your good purposes. We pray in the name of Christ, who draws close to us, that we might draw closer to you, our God. Amen.

                                                                                          (Connections Worship Companion)                    

               

                                   

                         

Sunday Sermon December 3, 2023

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Devotion November 29, 2023

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Devotion November 28, 2023

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Sunday Reflection (November 26, 2023)

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According to the prophet Ezekiel, those in positions of authority and influence in ancient Israel abused their position and power by pushing aside the most vulnerable (Ezekiel 34:20-24). They forgot that the advocate for the weak, poor, and vulnerable was none other than God himself! Is our society any different? Our Gospel Reading from Matthew was addressed to corporate entities: The nations. There is an individual aspect, but the focus is upon a nation, a society that is grouped together (Matthew 25:31-46).
 
“As we do or don’t do” for the poorest, weakest, and most vulnerable, we do unto Christ (Matthew 25:31-46). God judges us not only for the wrongs we have done but also for what we have failed to do when we had the opportunity. This is more than an individual responsibility; it involves us as a society. According to Matthew, God judges a society by how that society treats its most vulnerable citizens, including our own. The basis of the judgement depicted in Matthew is closely tied to the love of neighbors, to caring for those in need. 

Prayer for the Week (November 26-December 2, 2023)

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Let us pray that we reign with Jesus by serving with him: God our Father when you wanted to show us that you are the Lord of all people, you sent us Jesus your Son as the humble servant of your love. Give us faith to learn from him that to serve is to reign. Amen.

                                                                                          (Claretian Communications, alt.)